While Linux remains fairly immature in terms of regional uptake, there are increasing signs that open source OS is starting to gain some traction in the storage market.

While Linux remains fairly immature in terms of regional uptake with the open source operating systems largely deployed in server environments, there are signs emerging that Linux is starting to gain some traction in the storage space as well.

According to Jeff Maslen, storage channel development manager, IBM Middle East & Pakistan, users are beginning to migrate from Unix-based systems to open source alternatives. “In this last year we have started to see the first defections from Unix servers to Linux,” he confirms.

“Linux, even though it is open code and people don’t know how serious it is, is starting to pick up like Windows 10 years ago. If you give it another three or four years you will see things like AIX, Sun Solaris and other vendor’s Unix systems start to contract, [although] people won’t be defecting from them,” Maslen continues.

Moving forward, Maslen firmly believes that Windows and Linux will become the two main operating systems for storage, with people only buying Unix systems if they require particularly tough platforms.

“Ultimately we will see storage on the two main operating systems, which will either be Microsoft or Linux based. People buy will Unix operating systems because they are robust and have lock down, but the majority of people will be out their buying Windows based operating systems with the storage to go on it or Linux based ones,” he explains.

“Give it four years and it could conceivable by 50/50 or 60/40 Windows/Linux,” he adds.